I've seen threads on all ranges, but I didn't see one for this budget. Also, many worry about music. I need a sub in this range that will be 100% HD DVD & Blu Ray movies. I'll never even buy an audio or performance HD DVD/BR, so movie soundtracks only.

Room is 18' wide, 24' deep. [16' ceilings:-(]

Looking for something to pair with my Atlantic Technology System 450 THX. Looks like my sub died with that, or isn't performing because of horrible rattle in the cone. Looking for something to thump my chest in Transformers.:D

If you think something is leaps and bounds better by simply jumping up in retail a bit, don't hesitate to list it.

one (http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=656)
two (http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/CastleOverview.html)
tree (http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/TowerOverview.html)

and if you wanna stretch your budget another $500 ( with shipping included)
four (http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=606)

Check out the SVS PB13U or the Epik Conquest, all the others listed up top come 2nd, 3rd, 4th minus the Ed900.

Gotta go with the PB13 Ultra in this case.


Tim

One consistent thing I've seen: if a person states a budget between X & X, a lot of comments will totally ignore the low-end budget number and recommend something right at or above the high-end budget number. If the budget is a hard max of $1,500, the PB13 and Conquest are both out of price range including shipping unless the original poster has access to special discounting. One forum bit of wisdom I'm picked up over time: if you ever start a thread with budget as a major factor, actually state a number 10% to 15% less than you're actual budget, then you'll get recommendations actually within you budget. :)

CADOBHuK made some good recommendations within your budget.

if a person states a budget between X & X, a lot of comments will totally ignore the low-end budget number and recommend something right at or above the high-end budget number. Of course. The low-end number is meaningless when it comes to subs. :p

If shipping must be considered, then the PC13 Ultra is the choice.


Tim

i started with a budget of 400 dollars (I was looking at the JBL E250). see where I am now. :)

Of course. The low-end number is meaningless when it comes to subs. :p

If shipping must be considered, then the PC13 Ultra is the choice.


Tim

This is only a stated budget, shipping doesn't bother me. If someone were to say, "Man, if you could just go up to $2100, then ____ Sub will be 10x better than others listed in this thread", I'd make the leap. Of course I'd want to hear why, then I'd research it.

$1500 would be what I like to max out at, but I'll move if I can get major improvement by moving up a tier.

I think the Epik Castle is a great choice for HT at the low end of your budget.

This is only a stated budget, shipping doesn't bother me. If someone were to say, "Man, if you could just go up to $2100, then ____ Sub will be 10x better than others listed in this thread", I'd make the leap. Of course I'd want to hear why, then I'd research it.

$1500 would be what I like to max out at, but I'll move if I can get major improvement by moving up a tier.

Well A7 - 900 is undisputed for either volume or sound quality..I'm not sure if it would be too much for your room or not. And it's not that far ahead of the other top models.

The SVS Ultra 13 is about as good a sub as you can buy.
Call SVS and I'll bet they will fit your budget.

I was recently in this same quandary myself. I ordered the SVS PB13 Ultra. However, when I found the ship date had been delayed again, I started exploring other options. After reading the review of the Epik Castle by Craigsub and talking to Chad from Epik over the phone, I canceled my SVS order and ordered the Castle from Epik.

i can attest to the dual 18's of eD...there really is no other feeling or sound like those two 18's just thumping at amazing level's...i know thats out of budget, but its a nice jump in sound quality and output... :) just my experience...if it sounds good to you in the end...then thats all that matters!

The SVS Ultra 13 is about as good a sub as you can buy.
Call SVS and I'll bet they will fit your budget.
That would be my choice. My PB13U is well worth the money imho and I have had many subs from Axiom, Hsu, Svs, Mirage, Paradigm, Velodyne etc

John

I swear by SVS and I only have the PC-Plus 20-39 and just upgraded it to the latest 12.3 driver and all I can say is WOW! SO I would think SVS Ultra woudl be killer for you.

I've seen threads on all ranges, but I didn't see one for this budget. Also, many worry about music. I need a sub in this range that will be 100% HD DVD & Blu Ray movies. I'll never even buy an audio or performance HD DVD/BR, so movie soundtracks only.

Room is 18' wide, 24' deep. [16' ceilings:-(]

Looking for something to pair with my Atlantic Technology System 450 THX. Looks like my sub died with that, or isn't performing because of horrible rattle in the cone. Looking for something to thump my chest in Transformers.:D

If you think something is leaps and bounds better by simply jumping up in retail a bit, don't hesitate to list it.

http://epiksubwoofers.com/C2.pdf

Please make sure you read the last sentence in that review.

Well, here is where I currently stand.


1.) Elemental Designs a7-99

2a) Epik Conquest
2b) SVS PB13 Untra

I know the ED sub is $500 over my initial range max, but I said I'd spend more if I could see the results in a major way. I don't care about looks, and I'm not sure I'd know how to play with any settings if they come with that. I just want the best movie sub in the business out of the box. Going from the Craighlist, the ED scored a 63 on movies, a full 6 above the SVS.

Now the I've defined my final 3, and I've laid out what's important to me most, have I narrowed it down to the best 3 in the opinion of readers here? Since it will be 100% action movies, and if I understand ratings correctly, will anything top the ED regarding movie thump?

Hi Mike,

I cannot disagree with your initial conclusions, and any of the above 3 will put many smiles on your face as they pound out the action sequences with abandon.

Consider too though that even for a HT only application, just how much music is in a movie soundtrack..... it makes a difference getting that right as well. It's all in the details.


Tim

Well the ED scored the highest in the music as well so you can't lose, especially if size is not a concern.

Thanks to all who have replies. Are the prices in Craigs threads MSRP, or are they the bottom line price? Is this one of the few things in the electronic world where "what you see is what you get" regarding prices?

Thanks to all who have replies. Are the prices in Craigs threads MSRP, or are they the bottom line price? Is this one of the few things in the electronic world where "what you see is what you get" regarding prices?

You will have to pay the listed price. Since you are willing to pay more than you mentioned in your original post, the Ed A7-900 is the one to get. If you do not order the A7-900 before January 1st, 2008, you will pay $200 more. In January you will have to pay $2,200 for the A7-900, however, if you order before 1/1/2008, you will only have to pay $2,000

Yes, and I see it's going up $200 first of the year. So getting it now, would be like getting it $200 off if I were in the market next year. I've got to come up with the money quick I guess, really wanted to wait until one round of Christmas bills were paid. But guess I've got to do something quick if I'm going ED.

Yes, and I see it's going up $200 first of the year. So getting it now, would be like getting it $200 off if I were in the market next year. I've got to come up with the money quick I guess, really wanted to wait until one round of Christmas bills were paid. But guess I've got to do something quick if I'm going ED.They don't process your card until the unit's ready to ship...if you ordered the last week of Dec, you might see it the first week of Feb...check with Chris or Alex to be sure.

They don't process your card until the unit's ready to ship...

mine was processed when i placed the order..it wont be ready to ship till january

Well, here is where I currently stand.


1.) Elemental Designs a7-99

2a) Epik Conquest
2b) SVS PB13 Untra

I know the ED sub is $500 over my initial range max, but I said I'd spend more if I could see the results in a major way. I don't care about looks, and I'm not sure I'd know how to play with any settings if they come with that. I just want the best movie sub in the business out of the box. Going from the Craighlist, the ED scored a 63 on movies, a full 6 above the SVS.

Now the I've defined my final 3, and I've laid out what's important to me most, have I narrowed it down to the best 3 in the opinion of readers here? Since it will be 100% action movies, and if I understand ratings correctly, will anything top the ED regarding movie thump?
I asked Craig a similar question in his thread. I'm pretty much in your exact situation. The A7-900 would be tops on my list, but it's flat out too big to place in my room.

If you want to top or match the ED, it seems you need to go with multiple subs. I don't want to back down off that performance benchmark either...and I think my best option is going to be a pair of Castles, which are basically the same price as the A7-900. Craig seems to think the performance would be very comparable.

I would have just bumped down to the Conquest, but apparently a pair of Castles will perform better.

I will. I actually thought I picked up in the threads that it was when production started? Maybe it was another company?

a pair of castles will probably be way over 2k with shipping

I will. I actually thought I picked up in the threads that it was when production started? Maybe it was another company?

My A7-450 was charged to me CC when production started, not when I placed my order.

Drama

saj3,

I wonder what 2 Towers would rate? $1998 vs. $2198 isn't that much difference if Performance jumps 10% to 20%?

saj3,

I wonder what 2 Towers would rate? $1998 vs. $2198 isn't that much difference if Performance jumps 10% to 20%?

I have no basis to answer this on my own knowledge...but I recall someone saying that the Tower will give you a little more output below 16hz, but they are indistinguishable above that. Not sure myself though...

I've wondered myself about dual Castles or dual Towers. But another option would be one Castle and one Tower. Wonder if anybody has gone that route? Get the higher-lows with the Castle and the lower-lows with the Tower. Seems like it might be the best of both.

Went from ready to pull the trigger on the 900, to waiting for this debate to play out a little:-)

Just be ready Mike,

The longer this plays out, the more it's going to cost you $$$. It happens like that every time. :rolleyes:


Tim

Someone said I think it was Craig, that Tower has a lower tuning point, which boosts the ultra low output but nerfs the higher regions output, compared to Castle..but they should be pretty close to each other

Yup...I'm not trying to push for one sub or the other, as I have not made my purchase yet either. I hope that dual castles are received pretty favorably, because that is the most reasonable set up for me given certain limitations.

If there is a drastic difference in performance, I suppose I could find a way to make it happen with either the A7-900 or other duals, although it will be difficult.

I will. I actually thought I picked up in the threads that it was when production started? Maybe it was another company?

Yes.

With us as backlogged as we are, that's how it works.

We have a speaker here that belongs to someone = that person is charged.

Can 2 small guys move the 900, or would it take 3?

Can 2 small guys move the 900, or would it take 3?

Honestly, around here it's usually 3 not so small guys that are moving it.

Honestly, around here it's usually 3 not so small guys that are moving it.

arent these things over 400lbs? lets see no handles, awkward, over 400lbs,and i assume fragile. add doorways and corners... can you say forklift? wow not for me. and i carried my 58" plasma on my shoulder.

Quote:Can 2 small guys move the 900, or would it take 3?

For comfort and safety I would recommend 4 guys. We moved mine only 9 feet into the front door on a 4 wheel dolly then rolled it into the theater. With one 50 year old (me) and one 30 year old. The 30 year old did just fine. The 50 year old would never want to do that again. It was starting to rain and we had to move fast. Just my two cents.

rmlowz

This is a very good thread with lots of options mentioned. Duals would be a very good choice. The ED-900 is a monster but I can only imagine the output. Not sure what I would opt for in this situation, being that I hate waiting probably the Conquest x 2. But with that you go way over budget by a few hundred bucks. Dual Towers would be a nice option also as mentioned. Decisions, Decisions, however at least youre dealing with product capable of some serious bass.

Isn't it a great time to be an enthusiast? I remember when this kind of performance was soundly out of my reach budgetwise and now we have so many options.

Thanks for the feedback on moving ED's 900 unit, I'll have the team ready to go if I purchase that particular unit. (Still in the lead for me)

Question on Duals. What are the advantage of 2 duals, say 2 Towers to be specific. It's not like you're doubling the numbers or ratings. What is the actual increase in performance?

Thanks for the feedback on moving ED's 900 unit, I'll have the team ready to go if I purchase that particular unit. (Still in the lead for me)

Question on Duals. What are the advantage of 2 duals, say 2 Towers to be specific. It's not like you're doubling the numbers or ratings. What is the actual increase in performance?

Honestly, it varies from room to room.

In practice, co-located speakers will usually offer the same performance with a ~6dB boost in output(in a perfect world).

Whereas if you have the speakers placed around the room it will help smooth the response throughout the room.

So it comes down to louder or better sounding throughout the room, usually with a bit of extra output.

Chris,

Any problems with adding a heavy piece of glass to the top of the 900, with rubber fittings in between? It helps me sell it to the wife if I can say it's a coffee table:-)

Also, any problems with having the sub turned sideways in an application? Meaning if I'm looking east to west from my couch to screen/center/L/R, then the sub would face from north to south.

Chris,

Any problems with adding a heavy piece of glass to the top of the 900, with rubber fittings in between? It helps me sell it to the wife if I can say it's a coffee table:-)

Also, any problems with having the sub turned sideways in an application? Meaning if I'm looking east to west from my couch to screen/center/L/R, then the sub would face from north to south.

I don't see why not on the glass top.

As for rotating it, that's really going to be room specific. Craig listens to his with the vent facing up :)

Maybe 14' to 16' wide, 20' to 22' deep with an open back into the kitchen. Also 18' to 20' open ceiling. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow.